DFI’s Sustainable Growth and Technological Advancements in Indian Market
DFI is a global leading provider of high-performance computing technology across multiple embedded industries. With its innovative design and premium quality management system, DFI’s industrial-grade solutions enable customers to optimize their equipment and ensure high reliability, long-term life cycle, and 24/7 durability in a breadth of markets including Industry Automation, Medical, Gaming, Transportation, Energy, mission-critical, and intelligent retail. During an interaction with Vidushi, Sally Li, APAC Sales Division General Manager, DFI discussed about DFI’s expansion plans, journey and key offerings and advancements in embedded technologies.
Can you share some booth highlights at the upcoming event, and what innovations or solutions will DFI showcase?
DFI, a leading motherboard manufacturer based in Taiwan, is set to showcase a range of cutting-edge innovations and solutions at the upcoming event. Specializing in mainboard design, DFI will feature the latest Intel and x86 AMD solutions, along with ARM solutions to cater to the diverse needs of embedded applications. The company’s commitment to staying abreast of processor manufacturers is evident in their demonstration of the latest techniques and specifications tailored to various applications. DFI’s product offerings extend across a broad spectrum, encompassing defense, transportation, EV chargers, and more. Notably, their focus on providing comprehensive infrastructure solutions aligns with their strategic emphasis on the Indian market. Attendees can expect a glimpse into DFI’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to addressing the evolving demands of the technology landscape.
As the APAC Sales Division General Manager, can you elaborate on DFI’s key offerings and advancements in embedded technologies?
As the APAC Sales Division General Manager, DFI distinguishes itself in the highly competitive ICT industry in Taiwan through its extensive range of mainboard offerings. Unlike many competitors, DFI’s approach allows customers to avoid the constraints of standard products and enables semi-customization to meet specific embedded technology requirements. Given the diverse applications within the embedded field, ranging from AP chargers to various connectivity needs, DFI’s strategy involves providing a broad product line. This approach not only reduces the development costs for customers but also significantly shortens their lead times. For instance, customers seeking an AP charger application with no specific special requirements can leverage DFI’s standard products and perform semi-customization, resulting in a working sample in just three to four weeks. By offering such flexibility, DFI aims to assist customers in efficiently adapting solutions to their unique needs, fostering innovation and speed in the development process.
Looking ahead to 2024, does DFI have any predictions for the embedded technologies market, and are there specific trends that industry professionals should be aware of?
Looking ahead to 2024, DFI envisions a significant trend in embedded technologies focused on workload consolidation, driven by concerns about environmental impact and carbon footprint. The company is actively collaborating with partners to demonstrate the consolidation of various devices within the industrial sector, such as ATMs with multiple processing units. The goal is to integrate different components into a unified solution, thereby reducing energy consumption and meeting environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) requirements. DFI is currently developing technologies to consolidate processing parts, aiming to provide efficient solutions for workload consolidation within the next two years.
In addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the technology landscape, DFI positions itself as a hardware and firmware solution provider for system integrators. While acknowledging the growing importance of AI in the industry, particularly in the context of IoT and AI solutions, DFI emphasizes its focus on edge computing. The company aims to contribute to the AI era by developing fanless box PCs and mainboards equipped with AI accelerators. Recognizing the limitations in competing with server board-focused competitors, DFI aims to specialize in providing edge computing solutions tailored for AI applications. The company anticipates that, by 2026, the market for AI solutions at the edge will mature, with a specific emphasis on meeting the evolving needs of customers requiring AI acceleration without the complexity of heavyweight data training solutions.
How does DFI plan to tailor its business strategy for the Indian market in 2024? Are there specific initiatives or partnerships in the pipeline?
DFI is concentrating its efforts on three key applications for the Indian market: defense, industrialization, and factory automation. Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities in the broader infrastructure sector, including smart city applications for traffic light control and transportation solutions for electric buses. Notably, DFI is prioritizing the development of EV chargers to meet the growing demand in the Indian market. These strategic initiatives reflect DFI’s commitment to addressing diverse sectors and contributing to the technological advancements in India.
On a global scale, what is DFI’s overarching business strategy for 2024, and what milestones or achievements are you targeting?
DFI’s overarching business strategy for 2024 centers around accelerating digital dice transferring from IoT to AIoT, with a focus on supporting their partners in India. The company aims to facilitate this transition over the next three to five years, ultimately look forward to reaching a milestone of at least USD 10 million in revenue. The key purpose is to aid their distributors and partners in India in navigating the evolving landscape of digital technology. By enhancing the speed and efficiency of digital dice transferring, DFI aspires to contribute significantly to the advancement of IoT and AIoT. The targeted financial goal of $10 million within five years underscores their commitment to sustained growth and success in the global market.
Regarding research and development, can you highlight any breakthrough innovations or projects that DFI is currently working on?
DFI is currently engaged in breakthrough innovations and projects in the realm of research and development. While the company has a strong presence in the defense sector, catering to various customers, it has also expanded its reach to address the needs of other industries. DFI has successfully ventured into traffic light control systems, and more recently, toll infrastructure. The toll gate control systems developed by DFI incorporate advanced technologies, combining surveillance cameras to ensure accurate ticket processing. The company is actively involved in upgrading toll facilities to implement a new technique from Taiwan known as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection). This innovative approach envisions a future where drivers won’t have to stop at toll gates. Instead, they can seamlessly pay through methods such as scanning credit cards or QR codes while maintaining their speed. DFI’s efforts contribute to enhancing the efficiency of toll collection processes, ultimately facilitating smoother and more automated experiences for both authorities and motorists.
As a leader in the industry, how does DFI prioritize sustainability and technological advancements in its product development, and what impact does it foresee on the market?
DFI, as a leader in the industry, places a strong emphasis on sustainability and technological advancements in its product development. The company recognizes the importance of aligning with global efforts to promote environmental responsibility. In response to the Indian government’s initiatives to increase the domestic production of PCBs, DFI is strategically working with partners to facilitate the setup of a preparation center. The aim is to support local manufacturers in understanding the assembly of box PCs and enhance their knowledge of computer technology, including x86 and ARM technologies. Currently engaged in the SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) phase, DFI is navigating challenges unique to the Indian market, such as the scarcity of PCBA makers. The company plans to address this by initially producing PCBAs in Taiwan and subsequently outsourcing other components for assembly in India. As part of a phased approach, DFI envisions taking full responsibility for the design stage within one or two years, eventually enabling the production of 100% made-in-India products within three years. This meticulous step-by-step strategy reflects DFI’s commitment to contributing to the Indian market’s growth while ensuring a sustainable and technologically advanced approach to product development.
